Political Prosecution of Yesh Gvul

Yesh Gvul is “an Israeli peace group campaigning against the occupation by backing soldiers who refuse duties of a repressive or aggressive nature”. Yesh Gvul grew out of the first Lebanon war protest. They are one of the longest standing organisations supporting refuseniks, and they supported me before and during my term in prison.

The new Israeli government has decided to crack down on refusenik organisations. As part of this campaign, the leaders of Yesh Gvul are being investigated for “incitement” charges. Here’s the latest update from Peretz Kidron:

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Peretz Kidron

UPDATE ON THE POLICE INVESTIGATION

As the investigation proceeds, it becomes increasingly evident that it is politically driven. The interrogators insist on posing repetitive questions about YG’s alleged attempts to “incite to evasion of military service” and the supposed “monetary benefits” offered to that end.

The absurd nature of the charges is striking:

1. all active YG members without exception have themselves completed full military service (+annual reserve duty);

2. YG has never entertained any reservations as to military service as such;

3. No YG publication of any kind – print or electronic – has ever supported evasion of service;

4. and of course, in view of the above, YG has never had any motive or reason to offer financial incentives towards a purpose it has never supported.

As all these points become evident within five minutes of questioning, the fact that the police persist in chasing these trumped up charges indicates clearly that they are operating on orders from above, from the political echelons, with the intention of intimidating us and forcing us to curtail our campaign.